2. Guidance Documents

Critical Success Factors (CSFs) are essential tools for evaluating, prioritising, and managing investment proposals within the Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio.  They will support strategic and consistent decisions, aligned with regional objectives:

• Ensure proposals directly support the Growth Deal's goals — including transformational change, inclusive growth, and sectoral development.
• Provide a standardised framework for assessing diverse projects, enabling fair and transparent decision-making across stakeholders.

A. Strategic Value

A1. Strategic Alignment to MWGD

The degree to which the proposal supports the strategic objectives of the MWGD:

• Clear contribution to MWGD strategic aims.
• Alignment with priority sectors (e.g. agri-food, energy, digital).
• Drive inclusive growth and regional resilience.

A2. Transformational Impact on Region

The potential for the project to deliver significant and lasting change:

• Demonstrates potential for economic, social, or environmental transformation.
• Goes beyond incremental improvements to deliver long-term regional value.

A3. Value for Money

The efficiency and effectiveness of public investment:

• Strong economic case with projected job creation and GVA uplift.
• Demonstrates efficient use of public funds.
• Potential for leveraging additional funding and wider economic impact.

B. Mobilisation

B4. Affordability

The financial feasibility and funding readiness of the proposal:

• Capital costs are understood and proportionate.
• MWGD intervention level is defined.
• Match funding is secured or well-progressed, with evidence of private sector leverage.
• Revenue funding for development and delivery phases is confirmed or planned.

B5. Complexity

There is consideration of the delivery complexity and associated risks:

• Planning requirements and external dependencies are identified and manageable.
• Project phasing is understood (sequential, modular, or adaptive).
• Delivery complexity is categorised to inform risk and resource planning.

B6. Timeliness

The readiness to mobilise and deliver within a defined timeframe:

• Project can be mobilised within 6 months.
• Governance and resources are in place or clearly planned.
• Timeline for completing the 5-Case Business Model is defined and achievable.
• Delivery milestones are realistic; completion guaranteed before 2032.

B7. Management

The strength of project management arrangements:

• Project is appropriately resourced with effective governance structures.
• Evidence of sound project planning principles.
• Robust and proactive approach to RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) management.
• Methodology for tracking progress, reporting, and evaluating impact is understood.